The Paololeo Primitivo di Manduria Passo del Cardinale appears a deep ruby color in the glass. The nose reveals a pronounced bouquet of black berries, mainly cassis and black currant, with notes of licorice and coconut. The palate is full-bodied and balanced, with velvety tannins and a perfect acidity; lingering finish of forest fruits and spices jam.
Primitivo grapes ripen very early, which explains its name. Interestingly, just 20 days after the harvest, Primitivo vines produce new grapes, traditionally called "second harvest"; these younger bunches are used by the winemaker to increase the freshness and acidity of these bold wines, given as a result a perfectly well-balanced red wine.
The grapes are destemmed and fermented at a controlled temperature of 25 °C for 8-10days. A maceration on the skins follows, during 15-18 days, to improve the delicate extraction of tannins and flavors
Aged for 3 months in American oak barrels and 6 months in stainless-steel tanks